Great Northern Kickstarter launches tomorrow!

If you see someone running around today with bits of yarn trailing from one hand and an overworked laptop in the other hand muttering something about price points, that's me. Please excuse my crazy bedhead and wild eyes, I'm just too excited to get this thing off the ground!

Thanks to all of you (and really, there were so many of you!) who pledged to donate by reserving a logo bag! I couldn't fit you all in this shot. I had to include "Diane" because, well, you know.

Also, the Diane who reserved that particular bag is my mom. Hi Mom!

If you aren't signed up yet for out Great Northern newsletter, that would be the best way to be notified the second the campaign is live. There are so many amazing rewards up, I can't wait to share them with you!

Great Northern Blog Tour!

Here's the schedule for the Great Northern Kickstarter Blog Tour! (Back the Kickstarter here)

Visit the different stops to learn more about the book, the yarns, the designs, and more.

• August 22: Blog Tour Kick off with Bridgeen Gillespie of Geen Geenie
• September 9: KICKSTARTER LAUNCH DAY with Canary Knits and Ruby Submarine
• September 10: Visit Rain City Knits to learn more about the yarn and pattern for one of the Log Lady inspired sweaters, Cherry Pie
• September 11: Cynttende
• September 15: Hands Occupied
• September 16: Emma Welford
• September 16: Ewe Ewe Yarns
• September 17: Visit Berroco to learn more about the three patterns being designed in their yarns
• September 18: DoogKnits
• September 21: Visit Knits in Class and read more about the yarn and design for the Maddy-inspired poncho
• September 22: Silly Little Lady
• September 22: Under the Red Umbrella
• September 23: Klever Knits
• September 24: Noir Knits
• September 25: Harrisville Designs
• September 28: SweetGeorgia Yarns
• September 29: My So-Called Handmade Life
• September 30: Carina Spencer
• October 1: Holly Chayes
• October 2: MediaPeruana
• October 6: Sweatshop of Love
• October 9: KICKSTARTER LAST DAY

TNNA recap!

Last weekend, the yarnfolk gathered in Columbus, OH for the fall 2015 TNNA tradeshow. This bi-annual event is where vendors sell yarn (and other crafty things) to store owners, people from all areas of the industry gather, classes are taught, and all the new designs and products are previewed before they get released to the public.

This was my first TNNA as a full-time designer, and I had a great time. I met some awesome folks, knit (although not as much as you might think), drank tons of beer, and hung out with designer and yarny friends new and old. There were also some meetings in there, too.

Beer flight at Wolf's Ridge, our first "meal"

L to R: Heidi Gustad, Carina Spencer, Allyson Dykhuizen, Me, Teresa Gregorio.

In the mornings, I hung with my friend Heather in her Ewe Ewe Yarns booth. I've worked with Heather's yarn a lot over the years and am a big supporter, so helping her sell it was no problem!

My wrap "Rainbows and Unicorns" in its natural environment

Heather Walpole and me rocking the knitwear

A huge reason that I decided to go to TNNA was that Teresa Gregorio and I are working on a project together, but had never met in person before. Teresa is awesome, and you should check out her designs if you haven't already. We had a very productive, fun time working together and not surprisingly, got a lot more done when we were sitting on the same couch than during our email sessions.

Schemin' (via @canaryknits on instagram)

Filmin' (via @canaryknits on instagram)

You may have heard rumblings about our project (and if you know me or Teresa personally, you certainly have), and we are almost ready to make an official announcement. Stay tuned for that!

Overall, TNNA was a great experience and worth the travel. I had never been to Columbus before and was pleasantly surprised with what it has to offer.

We're working on a YarnTalk episode about the show, so check back for that in a week or so!

Instagram

California makes my instagrams all pretty.

This Winter will be Different

So. I have long underwear on, and mixed feelings. I love my long underwear, they're comfy and warm... but wearing them means that Winter Is Coming (or here), which is a little scary.

7 years in southern California made me realize I am not a Winter Person. I just don't like it in long stretches. A week or two? Awesome! Snow is fun! Warm clothes are nice! Four months? Kill me now!

And last winter was BRUTAL. If you live in a place with actual seasons, you know what I'm talking about. It was my first winter back in the midwest, and nearly made me turn right back around again. As a born Wisconsinite, I am ashamed to admit that, but there you go.

But. THIS WINTER IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT! It will, because I am going to make it way better. Seasonal Affective Disorder, bite me. Maybe you'll join me in some of these fall/winter activities to make the cold months more enjoyable!


1. Exercise
Warming up from the inside! So far I've instituted a "One Solo Dance Party Per Day" policy, which has been fun. Even when I don't make it to the gym, once a day, I drop what I'm doing and boogie by myself.

2. Weather-Appropriate Crafting
You know what's fun? Making something warm and then wearing it to be warm! Very satisfying.

3. Seeing Family and Friends
We're all in this together! Sharing the time with people you love is key to surviving the long cold dark months.

 4. Tea
Lots of hot drinks. Stay hydrated and happy.

5. Travel
Let's face it, sometimes you just have to get away for a hot minute. I'm planning my February escape to California as we speak.

Do you like the wintertime? How do you handle the cold months? Leave a comment and let me know your tricks!

OMG OCTO

My friend Tara made the octopus!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(insert Leah's happy dance here)

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look at eeet!

IT'S ALIVE!

I have never seen it made by someone else, and I am so ecstatic I can barely handle it.

She test crocheted it for me, the pattern is almost ready. I am hoping to release it just in time for April Fools Day. Not sure why, but that seems fitting.